We have found recovery happens when a person follows certain steps predicated on developing a personal constitution. What entails a Personal Constitution is vitally important to the overall process of the Balance House philosophy.

The Balance House program is simple by design. Of the very few things we focus on, it is one’s word that matters most. What we aren’t spending much time discussing is addiction or alcoholism. To be honest, if one could finish school, get a career, have a family, keep family close, and be proud of themselves all while doing drugs and drinking alcohol, then one wouldn’t end up in treatment or at Balance House. However, if you are reading this website, it is for a reason…and we believe it is safe to assume that reason isn’t because you have been on a winning streak. So we start with some simple promises, both from you and from us.

People are measured by what they do when no one is looking. No one ever really gets away with anything because, at the very least, the individual knows what he or she did. This self-knowledge of one’s own “defects of character” is what slowly erodes the fabric of who he or she wishes so badly to be. As we see it, a constitution is comprised of four elements: Honesty, Emotional Health, Social Stability, and Self Sufficiency. There are vital activities within each element, which helps locate one’s position with regards to their personal constitution in any given moment. For example, Honesty requires a person to keep promises (the trick being taking care with what is promised). Emotional Health requires involvement in continued therapy either through our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or at the very least, weekly individual sessions with a primary therapist. Social Stability requires involvement inside the Balance House program, within the alumni network, or in a 12 Step program of choice. Finally, Self Sufficiency requires maintaining a schedule that either involves fulfilling academic requirements or actively seeking gainful employment and managing your money while saving for the deposit on an apartment once you leave Balance House. If this looks like too much to accomplish, don’t worry, we promise to help you every step of the way.

Benchmarks

Benchmarks are standards that must be in place to give each resident the best chance of long-term recovery. Such benchmarks are vitally important for many reasons, but mostly because each benchmark shows where the person is at any given moment with regard to their personal constitution. Benchmarks are good measurements that will clearly show whether a person is ready to transition out of Balance House or if they need more time. These benchmarks are vitally important in early recovery whether or not Balance House is the program you choose.

Involvement In 12-Step community? Sponsor, step work

Gainful Employment: Show up everyday, budget money, save money OR School: Make a reasonable schedule, show up everyday, do homework

Rebuild Critical Family Relationships

Take Direction: Be open-minded

Continue Therapy

Continue Testing

One of the main objectives of Balance House is to stop the insanity of continuing to go through program after program. Not only is it expensive monetarily, it is also very expensive in time. As such, we are asking for a commitment of six months at our program. We honestly know, all things being equal, that six months is more than enough time for our clients to build a foundation upon which they (and the family) can start moving forward in life.